This historic mission built in 1797, was one of 21 built by the Spanish priests (padres) up and down California in the 1700's. They were spaced a day's travel apart along the El Camino Real. From these settlements, the Spaniard tried to convert the Native Americans to Christianity. Damaged by earthquakes, this mission was lovingly restored 1982 in what is said to be one of the most authentic restorations of all the California missions. Authentic adobe bricks were used and most of work was done with tools resembling those available at the time of the original construction